Indonesia Open: PV Sindhu settles for silver after losing to Yamaguchi in summit clash

Winner Akane Yamaguchi (R) of Japan and runner-up Pusarla Sindhu (L) of India pose on the podium following their women's singles final match at the Indonesian Open badminton tournament in Jakarta on July 21, 2019. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)


PV Sindhu lost the summit clash at the Indonesia Open in straight sets, 15-21, 16-21, to Akane Yamaguchi of Japan to finish at the runner up position.

Notably, this was Sindhu’s first final of the season in which she faced defeat at the hands of the fourth-seeded player of the tournament.

The first set was a well-fought one with both the players giving it their all. At one stage, the first game was tied at 8-8. Then Sindhu took three consecutive points to reach the first game interval leading 11-8.

However, Yamaguchi then stitched a comeback and levelled the score 14-14. However, post that it was Yamaguchi as she pressed the pedal and won the first match quite comfortably in just 21 minutes.

The Japanese shuttler did not look back after that and the second game was completely dominated by her sheer brilliance.

Sindhu lost the second game in another 31 minutes, losing a vital opportunity to win her first title this season.

This was the Indian badminton star’s first final after she had a couple of semifinal finishes this season. Sindhu had stormed her way into the finals and it was expected that she might win her first title this season. However, she failed to cross the final hurdle.

She will feature next at Japan Open (23 to 28 July)and at the Thailand Open (30 July to 4 August).